Behind the Scenes of the PodCacher Podcast

[Editor’s Note: Geocachers love to spread the word about the adventure of geocaching. Sonny and Sandy from the PodCachers have spent years sharing the joy of geocaching through their podcast the PodCacher podcast. Here’s a rare look behind the scenes of their podcast.]

Team PodCacher

By Sonny & Sandy,

Gorillas, a wild-west jail, a Halloween prop and Dave Ulmer – sound like the start of a bad joke? No, just another typical day at the PodCacher studios, putting together an podcast full of geocaching goodness for a listener community that spans the globe.

We are Sonny and Sandy (from sunny San Diego, California) and we have hosted the PodCacher podcast (the weekly audio show all about geocaching) for almost eight years. From the very first show, where we shared about some geocaches we found in Kazakhstan and Amsterdam, to the latest interview with Dave Ulmer, hider of the first geocache, our 400+ shows have circled the world to offer geocaching content to inform, inspire and entertain.

The rich connections with people we have never met, the truly kindred spirits we have stumbled upon, the numerous poignant emails that share how deeply we have touched someone in a time of stress or grief – these are the amazing gifts we have received from this podcast.

The shows often begin with the latest in geocaching and GPS news. This is where gorillas come into the conversation. A fascinating study about a concept called inattentional blindness which has prevented 83% of radiologists from seeing a gorilla photo-shopped into a lung scan, led to a discussion of caches that are hidden in plain sight, and how easy it is to miss a simple cache, when you have a preconceived notion of what it is supposed to look like. Has this ever happened to you?

GC45CZX Jail Geocache

Many PodCacher shows include a mention of super cool geocaches. You might hear about several unique or unusual geocaches in one show. One of the greatest resources we have is our diverse, experienced and creative (not to mention good-looking) listener community, and it is amazing what they share with us. On Show 409, for example, a Halloween prop from the dollar store was easily turned into a fun hide called, Lend Me a Hand. Another cacher created a miniature adobe brick-style jail for travel bugs including jail cells and “most wanted” posters for the cache Deputies, bring in those travel bugs.

You may have heard that the famous, yet somewhat reclusive, Dave Ulmer was recently interviewed on PodCacher. He unexpectedly showed up at the recent Mega-Event in Yuma, Arizona, at the invitation of Team 360.

Dave hid the very first geocache (called “stash hunt” at the time) back on May 3, 2000, and he spent some time reminiscing with us about that exciting time, and the amazing world-wide phenomenon that his “little” idea set into motion. He shared about staying up all night when selective availability was to be taken off, watching the accuracy on his GPS change from 300 feet to 30 feet, and realizing that “something magic has to happen from this!” That magic has now passed 2 million active caches on Geocaching.com. Listen to show 409 for more of this fascinating interview.

Where is the geocache?

We love to record from “out in the field”, at geocaching events or just along the trails, capturing that authentic audio that makes it feel like you’re right there with us, but most often we can be found recording in our “home studio”. This is actually a small corner of a home office, partitioned off with a bookcase and sound-dampening blankets hung on rope. To make it even cozier, Sonny built a wooden ceiling that sports more acoustic sound-proofing. We have a printed show outline to guide us, as well as any email, feedback or news items that we need to read, but our favorite times are the spontaneous moments of hilarity that often erupt out of nowhere. We’ve certainly gotten better at recording after all these years, but we still manage to create some great bloopers that often find their way into the end of the show.

We invite you to come and join the international geocaching community at podcacher.com!

Sonny & Sandy definitely add to the overall goodness that is Geocaching. Love the show and good to see them recognized for their valuable contributions to the community.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Alex-Murdoch/604325046 Alex Murdoch

I’ve been a listener now for about 3 years and enjoy the show every Monday. It’s great entertainment that I can share with my 3 kids.

Paksen

I used to listen to Sonny & Sandy years ago. Their enthusiasm for caching is contagious. Glad to see they’re still podcasting.
Cache On!

Andy

This is a fun show and not just a tech-fest like other casts. It’s about caching for cachers, pure and simple. Look forward to my Sunday nights!

http://www.facebook.com/coreyX2 Corey Stevens

We absolutely love the show! I am constantly going back and scanning through old shows for that helpful hint or super cold, arctic blast, chilly-willy, frozen to the bone, cool, cool cache idea. not to mention my daughter (almost 5) loves listening for the Shawn moment. Keep up the great work!

http://www.facebook.com/grant.little.71 Grant Little

Great to see this blog article. Have been a fairly regular listener for almost 5 years now. The shows are awesome and one really gets a community feel. Well done s-s&s. You guys rock.

http://www.AUgeocachers.com/ E of authorized users

My husband and I love to listen to the PodCacher podcasts and take part in their many excellent contests!! The shows are so much fun and we appreciate the links that are provided so we can learn more about what was discussed in the shows!

“Thanks for listening… and keep ooooon caching!”

http://www.facebook.com/zeke.hooper.75 Zeke Hooper

Just came across this show and the first one I listen to said they would no longer be doing the pod cast. At least I can listen to all the old stuff online.

http://www.facebook.com/jason.judt Jason Judt

It was an April Fools Day joke. They are still doing the podcast.

http://www.facebook.com/frankandsandy.moore FrankandSandi Moore

They said that on April 1

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